Our quest is to find what we love

Devil

I haven’t had time to study the cards in depth recently, but I am hoping to get back into the habit over the holidays, and beyond. Tarot study gives me quiet time, a space in which to meditate and contemplate.

We spend so much time rushing from one thing to the next without stillness, as if we will miss something if we stop for breath. For me the opposite is true, I know I miss so much more of life by treating it like a moving walkway in an airport. It is important to me, to take time to do the things that bring me joy and add depth to my hours. The Tarot has been part of my life for so long, even with a new deck the relationship is somewhat established already. Sitting down with the Tarot is like taking tea with a close friend, comfortable and honest.

This week I am using two decks, The Tarot Noir by Chronata, and the Tarocchi di Connessione. The latter is a major arcana only deck, in English it is The Tarot of Connections. The Tarot Noir is a Marseilles based deck, with funky black and white images, no borders and rounded corners – perfect.

I drew a card from each, Limits – XV from the Connessione and the Ten of Wands from the Tarot Noir.

The Connessione artist different names for the cards, and Limits is usually The Devil card. The image shows an angry character firmly grasped in a hand, which he doesn’t seem too happy about. It feels as if he has been exposed for who he really is. The quilted cocoon that he is wrapped in suggests luxury t0 me, a luxurious prison. There is writing scribbled on the wall but even with a magnifying glass it doesn’t read as anything much just a few letters. Below the devil critter, on the bottom half of the card there are many cages. So we have someone in a prison of their own making, and the writing is on the wall. But I wonder if the hand is that of the devil, who has the person in his grip — or, is the devil the one being held? Could be either way.

The Ten of Wands here is a tightly locked knot too. It feels too bound, too stressed, a barrier to going any further without change or some let up. This card combined with the devil seems to underline a feeling of being held captive. It also makes me think of an illusion of order and strength that in reality is a cover up for something very out of control.

I think maybe I have overdone the partying this holiday season, and need to cut back now, before it becomes my master. I need to be in control, as I do have an addictive personality. Well, the cards are definitely honest and brutal at times.